Message from the Supervisor

 

White Pigeon Township Supervisor – Don Gloy– cellphone: 269-625-5306

email address: supervisor@whitepigeontwp.com

 

We need your help

The White Pigeon Township Fire Department would like some feed back on whether the Township needs a township wide emergency warning system.  They would also like your input on how this system could be paid for should we decide to install the system.

Richard Strawser Retires

It is with sadness that the White Pigeon Township Board accepted the resignation of Richard Strawser. 

The White Pigeon Township Board thanks Mr. Strawser for his years of service on the Township Board as well as the numerous committees on which he had served.  We also thank him for his dedication to the entire White Pigeon Community.  We wish him well and all the best in the future.

A New Trustee Is Appointed

On August 10, 2010 a special meeting of the White Pigeon Township Board was held to appoint Vince Schroen to fill the remaining years of the trustee position vacated by Richard Strawser.  Welcome aboard Vince……. 

 

 

COMMUNITY FORUM

On December 9, 2009 & March 25, 2010 a number of White Pigeon Community Leaders have met to discuss the future of our community and what can be done to help.  We will be having future meetings in the coming months.  Please send us your opinion and any information or subject(s) you would like to see discussed.  Just click on the link below to open a document showing the suggestion and ideas discussed at these meetings.

WhitePigeon-CommunityVisioning.doc

  WHO IS DRIVING THE DECISIONS ON LOCAL ROAD PROJECTS?

As you’re taking a leisurely drive on a lovely fall day in Michigan, you may have experienced a rough patch of road or questioned why the speed limit is the rate it is for that particular stretch of road.  Although the road may be located within a township, did you know that the township does not have authority over the road? 

Most residents do not realize that local roads, including construction and maintenance of these roads, are under the jurisdiction of the county where the road is located.  Since the 1930s, townships have had little road authority, and they receive no transportation funding (Public Act 51 of 1951).  However, over 95% of townships in Michigan do contribute money to the road commission in the county in which their township is situated.  In fact, it is common for counties to strongly urge townships to contribute to roads at a high level of matching funds.

About 10 years ago, many counties requested a 50-50 match from townships for construction, repair and maintenance of local roads.  Due to changes in funding over the last decade, it is now common for counties to ask townships to pick up 75% of the cost in order to receive a 25% funding match from the county.  In some cases, counties require that 100% of the cost of the project be funded by the township.

Although the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 has provided significant funding for roads, that money is primarily being spent on federal highways and roads under state jurisdiction, rather than local roads.  Meanwhile, transportation funding at the state level has not increased, and there has been a sharp decrease in state shared revenue to local units of government.  The result?  Local roads are being shortchanged.

While funding of roads at the local level is likely to be an ongoing issue for Michigan for some time to come, it is important for residents to be aware of the township’s limited role in road projects and maintenance.  Issues related to local roads are best addressed by the county road commission, which has the both the authority and responsibility to handle these matters.  For more information contact the St. Joseph County Road Commission at (269) 467-6393.

This article appeared in the November, Sturgis Township Newsletter, but this information applies to all townships.

 

 THROW IT AWAY

As of January 1, 2010, the White Pigeon Township will no longer set a date of when a resident may receive or use a dump pass.  Each year a resident or property owner of White Pigeon Township may obtain from the Township office during regular business hours, (2) dump passes to be used at the convenience of the holder.  Once a pass is obtained the pass must be used within (30 days).  Each pass will allow the holder, at no charge, (2 yards) of waste, comparable to (1) pick-up size load of waste, to the Waste Management dumping site located 14094 M-60, Three Rivers.  The pass holder will be responsible for any cost over the (2 yard) limit.  No disposal of refrigerators, freezers, air-conditioners, or dehumidifiers.  No tractor or truck tires allowed!  Two regular tires, or 1 tire and 1 appliance, or 2 appliances will be allowed.  No paint, oil, or yard waste (grass/ leaves).  *******NO CARBONATED BEVERAGE CONTAINERS ALLOWED*********Passes are NOT to be used for COMMERCIAL or BUSINESS related disposal.

WPFD Chief

 

A Picture To Remember

 

No one ever wants to believe there will come a day when we will need the wonderful men of our volenteer fire department.